Precedent set as Peterborough man sentenced to lifetime ban on owning animals

Precedent set as Peterborough man sentenced to lifetime ban on owning animals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Peterborough, ON (May 16, 2018) – On Monday of this week, precedent was set when a 32-year-old Peterborough man was convicted of animal cruelty under the Ontario SPCA Act.

On May 14, 2018, Deep Bista pled guilty in a Peterborough Provincial Offences Court to three counts of causing an animal to be in distress. He was sentenced by the Justice of the Peace to a lifetime ban on owning, having custody or care of, or living with an animal. He must also serve 90 days in jail for each count, served consecutively, which is a sentence that has never been seen before in the Peterborough community.

On September 13, 2017, Ontario SPCA officers with the Peterborough Humane Society executed a warrant after received video footage of a man beating a dog in a stairwell of an apartment building on three separate occasions. The dog was removed for its safety and taken into the care of the Peterborough Humane Society.

“This is a great day,” states Shawn Morey, Executive Director of the Peterborough Humane Society. “This outcome is a result of the outstanding work of our officers on staff working closely in relationship with our Ontario SPCA affiliate officer. I am very proud of the hard work that has been done by our team as a whole in pressing for the rights of not just this dog, but animals in our community.”

“Behaviour like this will not be tolerated and there will be consequences,” says Alison Green, Senior Inspector, Ontario SPCA. “There is absolutely no excuse for abusing or neglecting an animal.”

This collaborative effort is but one example of the great work being done by the team at the Peterborough Humane Society.

Since 1919, when Ontario's first animal welfare legislation was proclaimed, the Ontario SPCA, with the help of its Communities, has been entrusted to maintain and enforce animal welfare legislation. The Act provides Ontario SPCA agents and inspectors with police powers to do so.

About the Peterborough Humane Society:The Peterborough Humane Society advocates for the welfare of animals by improving their lives, alleviating suffering, rescuing, providing shelter, healing, facilitating adoption and reducing pet overpopulation. The organization cares for approximately 2,000 lost, injured, abandoned or abused animals each year. Supported by a dedicated team of volunteers and donations from corporations, foundations and the local community, the Peterborough Humane Society has been proud to enhance the lives of animals in the region since 1941. To learn more visit: www.peterboroughhumanesociety.ca